Orange Set for Paradise Jam

Paradise Jam 2017 - Reef Division
Location: Smith Center | Washington, D.C.

Syracuse (3-0, 0-0) vs. Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0)
Game Details: Thursday, Nov. 23 | 11:00 a.m.
Game Coverage: Watch | Live Stats | Audio | @CuseWBB Twitter

Syracuse (3-0, 0-0) vs. Vanderbilt (0-4, 0-0)
Game Details: Friday, Nov. 24 | 3:30 p.m.
Game Coverage: Watch | Live Stats | Audio | @CuseWBB Twitter

Syracuse (3-0, 0-0) vs. George Washington (2-2, 0-0)
Game Details: Saturday, Nov. 25 | 3:30 p.m.
Game Coverage: Watch | Live Stats | Audio | @CuseWBB Twitter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Orange hit the road for the first time in the 2017-18 season to participate in the 2017 Paradise Jam. Syracuse will face Wisconsin (2-1), Vanderbilt (0-4) and host-school George Washington (2-2) in three games over three days beginning on Thanksgiving Day.

The Orange won the Reef Division of the tournament back in 2013, defeating Texas, Memphis and No. 12/11 Texas A&M to claim the title. Brianna Butler ('17) averaged 23.3 points per game to earn Paradise Jam MVP accolades.

2017 Paradise Jam Opponents
This will be the first ever meeting between the Orange and the Badgers in the school's 46-year history. Wisconsin is 2-1 on the season, most recently coming off a 77-74 victory over Southern. Five Badgers are averaging double-digit figures this season including senior Cayla McMorris (13.3 pts/game), who has started every game for Wisconsin this year.

Syracuse and Vanderbilt have butted heads three times in the past, once in Nashville, once in Syracuse and once at a neutral location in Hanover, N.H. Vandy holds the 3-0 all-time series advantage with the most recent meeting resulting in a 61-52 victory for the Commodores back in 2004. The first contest between the schools, in 1983, went to overtime with Vandy edging the Orange 89-82 after 45 minutes of action. The Commodores are still seeking their first win of the season, having dropped their first four contests of the year.

Like the Commodores, Syracuse and George Washington have a three meetings under their belts with the Colonials leading the all-time series 2-1. The Orange came out on top,74-71, in the most recent outing just last season when the teams squared-off in the Gulf Coast showcase. The Colonials sit at 2-2 on the season but will carry a two-game win streak into the tournament.

Last Time Out
The Orange remained one of seven undefeated teams in the ACC when they bested Hartford 75-63, Monday morning at the Carrier Dome on School Day. Syracuse hosted over 5,000 local grammar school students at the Dome. Sophomore Tiana Mangakahia notched her second double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 assists in the contest.

The Orange had at least three players score in double-digits for the third consecutive game. Mangakahia paced the Orange with 17 points while Gabrielle Cooper (15), Miranda Drummond (13) and Isis Young (12) added to Syracuse's point total.

Drummond not only tallied her first double-double of the season (13 points, 10 rebounds) but she also tied her career-high for steals with three against the Hawks. The forward has scored 10+ points in every game for the Orange this season.

Orange at the Top
Two games into the season, Syracuse already ranks among the top teams in the nation in several key categories. As a team, the Orange rank tied for eighth in the country in offensive rebounds per game (21) and tied for sixth in the nation in total rebounds per game (52.00).

Syracuse is tied for 19th (fourth in the ACC) in turnovers forced at 25.50 per game, a key component of the Orange system that emphasizes creating opportunities and maximizing points per possession.

Individually, Mangakahia represents the Orange in the national rankings, coming in tied for second in the country for assists per game, averaging 10.0 each outing. The Australia native is the only Division I women's basketball athlete to record three consecutive double-digit assist outings this season.

Up Next
The Orange return to the Dome to take on Northwestern in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge on Thursday, Nov. 30. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and the game will air on ACC Network Extra.

Fans can purchase season and individual game tickets online, by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX, or by visiting the Carrier Dome box office (Gate B) during normal business hours.

For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

Gabrielle Cooper

Miranda Drummond

Tiana Mangakahia

Isis Young

Syracuse University Athletics